Which Sternotomy Closure Method (Orthopaedic Wire or Suture) Is Recommended in Large Breed Dogs Undergoing a Median Sternotomy?

PICO questionWhich sternotomy closure method (orthopaedic wire or suture) is recommended in large breed dogs undergoing a median sternotomy?Clinical bottom lineThe literature search revealed no clinical studies on large breed dogs comparing the clinical outcomes following either orthopaedic wire or suture sternotomy closure methods. Post-mortem studies on large breed dogs suggest that sutures are as suitable as orthopaedic wires for sternal closure with regards to their biomechanical properties. There is insufficient clinical evidence to make a recommendation that sutures be used in large breeds of dog. <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/pr-icon.jpg" alt="Peer Reviewed" /

Hepatic arterio-venous fistulae in dogs : diagnosis, treatment, prognosis

There are two types of congenital vascular disorders affecting the liver in small animals: portosystemic shunts, object of extensive studies and publications, and arteriovenous fistulae (HAVF), which on the contrary are poorly documented in veterinary medicine. In hepatic arteriovenous fistulae (HAVF), part of the hepatic arterial circulation communicates directly with the portal system within the hepatic parenchyma. This disorder affects young animals. Symptoms include ascites, delayed growth and occasionally neurological signs due to multiple portocaval shunts resulting from the portal hypertension. Surgical treatment includes 1) resection of the affected lobe(s), 2) ligation of the hepatic artery branch feeding the fistula, or 3) endovascular embolization of the artery. The prognosis of this condition is fair and though the success rate of surgical treatments is non-negligible. In most cases, post-surgical treatment includes medication and a special diet (low in proteins). The overall survival rate is comparable to that seen in intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.La pathologie vasculaire congénitale du foie chez les carnivores domestiques est divisée en 2 entités : les shunts porto-systémiques, qui ont fait l'objet de nombreuses études et publications et les fistules artério-veineuses (FAVH), à l'inverse peu documentées en médecine vétérinaire. Lors de FAVH, une partie de la vascularisation artérielle hépatique communique avec le système porte au sein du parenchyme hépatique. Cette affection touche les animaux jeunes. Les symptômes rencontrés sont : ascite, retard de croissance et parfois, signes neurologiques, dus aux shunts porto-caves multiples résultant de l'hypertension portale. Il existe 3 modalités de traitement chirurgical : 1) résection du ou des lobe(s) hépatique(s) concerné(s), 2) ligature de la branche de l'artère hépatique desservant la fistule ou 3) embolisation par voie endovasculaire de l'artère au niveau de la communication artério-veineuse. Le pronostic de cette affection est variable, bien que le taux de succès thérapeutique soit non négligeable. Dans la plupart des cas, les animaux traités chirurgicalement doivent recevoir des médicaments après l'opération et suivre un régime alimentaire particulier (pauvre en protéines). Le taux de survie est globalement comparable à celui observé lors de shunts porto-systémiques intrahépatiques

Heterogeneity of T-Tubules in Pig Hearts

BACKGROUND:T-tubules are invaginations of the sarcolemma that play a key role in excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian cardiac myocytes. Although t-tubules were generally considered to be effectively absent in atrial myocytes, recent studies on atrial cells from larger mammals suggest that t-tubules may be more numerous than previously supposed. However, the degree of heterogeneity between cardiomyocytes in the extent of the t-tubule network remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the t-tubule network of pig atrial myocytes in comparison with ventricular tissue. METHODS:Cardiac tissue was obtained from young female Landrace White pigs (45-75 kg, 5-6 months old). Cardiomyocytes were isolated by arterial perfusion with a collagenase-containing solution. Ca2+ transients were examined in field-stimulated isolated cells loaded with fluo-4-AM. Membranes of isolated cells were visualized using di-8-ANEPPS. T-tubules were visualized in fixed-frozen tissue sections stained with Alexa-Fluor 488-conjugated WGA. Binary images were obtained by application of a threshold and t-tubule density (TTD) calculated. A distance mapping approach was used to calculate half-distance to nearest t-tubule (HDTT). RESULTS & CONCLUSION:The spatio-temporal properties of the Ca2+ transient appeared to be consistent with the absence of functional t-tubules in isolated atrial myocytes. However, t-tubules could be identified in a sub-population of atrial cells in frozen sections. While all ventricular myocytes had TTD >3% (mean TTD = 6.94±0.395%, n = 24), this was true of just 5/22 atrial cells. Mean atrial TTD (2.35±0.457%, n = 22) was lower than ventricular TTD (P3% (1.65±0.06 μm, n = 5, P<0.05). These data demonstrate considerable heterogeneity between pig cardiomyocytes in the extent of t-tubule network, which correlated with cell size